Sustainable Decisions and Organisations

Code

BUSI4261

School

Nottingham University Business School

Level

4

Credits

10

Semesters

Full Year Malaysia

Summary

This module takes the form of a series of lectures, workshops, case studies and role play and is taken by all MBA students. The course integrates and reflects upon the interdisciplinary nature of the MBA programme and challenges students' understanding and application of the material presented on the core MBA modules. This is undertaken by focusing on the role of different business stakeholders in achieving economic and environmental sustainability - through an examination of their possibly contradicting and contradictory objectives, values and decision-making processes. We have a wide range of practitioners featuring in the course. The participants have to present and defend their integrated sustainable strategy to a real board, consisting of practitioners with experience of board membership. The students also have to run a real media conference consisting of journalists from the press.

Target Students

Only students registered on the MBA programme.

Classes

30 hours contact time over a one-week intensive block Activity : Lecture topics, industrial talks or other relevant module learning activities Number of weeks : 1 Week Number of sessions : 7 per week. Duration of a session : 3 hours (weekday) to 7.5 hours (weekend)

Assessment

• 60% Group Coursework: 3000 words
• 40% Individual Coursework: 2000 words

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
This module develops a knowledge and understanding of:

• The dynamics of the global economy and international business and/or an awareness of cultural, legal/regulatory, political, and economic differences across countries and/or an appreciation of management issues from a global perspective.
• Markets - the development and operation of markets for resources, goods and services
• Customers and stakeholders - customer expectations, service and orientation
• Finance - the sources, uses and management of finance
• People – strategic and operational HRM, meeting future organizational requirements, people development, HR systems
• The importance of sustainability issues, including an understanding of the challenges and opportunities arising from the activities of people and organisations on the economic, social and environmental conditions of the future.

Intellectual skills
This module develops:

• Being able to think critically and be creative: manage the creative processes in self and others; organise thoughts, analyse, synthesise and critically appraise. This includes the capability to identify assumptions, evaluate statements in terms of evidence, detect false logic or reasoning, identify implicit values, define terms adequately and generalise appropriately
• Being able to solve complex problems and make decisions: establish criteria, using appropriate decision-making techniques including identifying, formulating and solving business problems; and the ability to create, identify and evaluate options; the ability to implement and review decisions
• Using information and knowledge effectively in order to abstract meaning from information and to share knowledge, including the use of quantitative skills

Professional practical skills

This module develops:

• The ability to conduct research and enquiry into business and management issues either individually or as part of a team through research design, the collection and analysis of qualitative data, synthesis and reporting
• Effective performance within team environments and the ability to recognise and utilise individuals' contributions in group processes and to negotiate and persuade or influence others; team selection, delegation, development and management. Leadership and performance management: selecting appropriate leadership style for different situations; setting objectives, motivating, monitoring performance, coaching and mentoring
• The ability to recognise the need for and initiate change and to be able to manage change
• The ability to recognise and address ethical dilemmas, corporate social responsibility and sustainability issues, applying ethical and organisational values to situations and choices

Transferable (key) skills
This module develops:

• High personal effectiveness: critical self-awareness, self-reflection and self-management; time management; conflict resolution, displaying commercial acumen, the ability to continue to learn through reflection on practice and experience
• Effective communication: networking, listening, oral and written communication of complex ideas and arguments, using a range of media, including the preparation of business reports
• Soft skills : understanding the needs of others an empathy towards them; sensitivity to diversity in people and in different situations

Conveners